Return to Fillory in the riveting sequel to the New York Times bestseller and literary phenomenon of 2009—The Magicians.

The Magicians was praised as a triumph by readers and critics of both mainstream and fantasy literature. Now Grossman takes us back to Fillory, where the Brakebills graduates have fled the sorrows of the mundane world—only to face terrifying new challenges.

Quentin and his friends are now the kings and queens of Fillory, but the days and nights of royal luxury are starting to pall. After a morning hunt takes a sinister turn, Quentin and his old friend Julia charter a magical sailing ship and set out on an errand to the wild outer reaches of their kingdom.

Their pleasure cruise becomes an adventure when the two are unceremoniously dumped back into the last place Quentin ever wants to see: his parent’s house in Chesterton, Massachusetts. And only the black, twisted magic that Julia learned on the streets can save them.

The Magician King is a grand voyage into the dark, glittering heart of magic, an epic quest for the Harry Potter generation. Download and start listening now!

“Quentin is no Harry Potter. The other humans in Fillory are not the Pevensie children. This isn’t a book for the kids. It’s not your father’s Narnia or your older sister’s Hogwarts. Something sadder and more sinister has entered this fantasy: the modern world.”

Washington Post

“The Catcher in the
Rye for devotees of alternative universes. It’s dazzling and devil-may-care…Grossman has created a rare, strange, and scintillating novel.”

Chicago Tribune

“The Magician King
is a rare achievement, a book that simultaneously criticizes and celebrates our
deep desire for fantasy.”

Boston Globe

“Grossman has devised an enchanted milieu brimming with
possibility, and his sly authorial voice gives it a literary life that
positions The Magician King well
above the standard fantasy fare.”

San Francisco Chronicle

“The Magician King, the immensely entertaining novel by Lev Grossman, manages to be both deep and deeply enjoyable.”

Chicago Sun-Times

“Readers who have already enjoyed The Magicians should lose no time in picking up The Magician King. For those who haven’t,
read both books: Grossman’s work is solid, smart, and engaging adult fantasy.”

Miami Herald

“A funny and innovative follow-up.”

Barnes & Noble, editorial review

“A spellbinding stereograph, a literary adventure novel that
is also about privilege, power, and the limits of being human. The Magician King is a triumphant
sequel.”

NPR

“Lev Grossman’s The Magician King is a fresh take on the fantasy-quest novel—dark, austere, featuring characters with considerable psychological complexity, a collection of idiosyncratic talking animals, and splendid set pieces in Venice, Provence, Cornwall, and Brooklyn.”

“Mark Bramhall—who read the previous installment—is back, picking up where he left off with breathy, sonorous narration that will delight listeners.”

Publishers Weekly (audio review)

“Mark Bramhall’s gruff narration suits this fantasy, the sequel to The Magicians…Bramhall’s characterizations animate both the light and dark sides of the characters. His judicious use of accents and his empathy for the characters enhance their relationships and intensify their adventures.. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award.”

AudioFile

A 2011 Kirkus Reviews Top 25 Book for Fiction

Selected for the August 2011 Indie Next List

A New York Times Bestseller

An Amazon Best Book of the Month, August 2011

Winner of an AudioFile Earphones Award

A 2011 New York Times Editor’s Choice

A Publishers Weekly Bestseller

A 2011 Washington Post Notable Book for Fiction

Listener Opinions

Kyle | 2/16/2014

" I read this back to back with The Magician, and I was a little sad with the ending of this one - after the first book takes such care to wrap up the story and show you Quentin's next steps, the ending here feels abrupt. Still a fun read and a great successor to a (hopefully growing) fantasy series. "

Jen | 2/7/2014

" I wasn't sure what to expect from this second book, and it definitely went in some unexpected directions. I enjoyed it very much. Again, I'm left with the feeling that, if I say anything, it'll be too much and spoil things for other readers. "

Mairzi | 1/29/2014

" Much better then the first one but still way too long and oh so deriviative of so many better books. "

Drew Newquist | 1/25/2014

" So much better then the first. "

Justin | 1/20/2014

" Much like book 1, shit goes down at the end. Quentin is still central, but this book really digs into Julia's story which is just awesome and tragic. Recommended, and very good. "

Greg | 1/19/2014

" I enjoyed it but can't really recommend it because of some very questionable content (I don't want to spoil anything for those of you who will read it anyway). "

Elizabeth Sum | 1/15/2014

" "The magicians" was superior. But Julia's story was fascinating "

Jason Barci | 1/6/2014

" At least as good as the first one. I could see this one as being the end but I think he's writing a third. "

Andrew Lichtenthal | 1/1/2014

" On par with the first book, but there's too much complaining. The characters are all emo and can be annoying at times. "

Shana | 12/9/2013

" Second book to The Magicians! I had a hard time with this one. I'm not sure why. Maybe because I started it, restarted it, and read it in small chunks over a long period of time. I think that's probably a sign that this book, while well written, was not as engaging as I thought it would be. "

Francine | 11/13/2013

" Interestingly enough, Quentin was much more likable the second time around! Huge surprise (since I couldn't stand him in the first book). I also liked Julia's story arc...what a tragic story. "

Taryn | 9/12/2013

" So much better than the first one, but still too much of a rip-off of other series "

Efrat | 9/9/2013

" So much better than the first one, is all I can say. "

Alison Grainger | 6/3/2013

" Bit of a bummer, this. Growing up is painful, and Grossman spares nothing in showing us just how painful it is for Quentin. Next book please. "

Ryan Helliwell | 2/17/2013

" This, the second installment to Lev Grossman's Magicians novels, was even more enthralling than the first. The only downside is that now we must wait or the next book. "

Karine | 2/7/2013

" So much better than the first in the series. Quentin has finally matured, and his quest to be a hero has some insightful moments as well as adventure. A few sections lacked the magic of the others, but overall it was a wonderful ride. "

Brigid Mcdonough | 1/24/2013

" I cannot see where this series is going. "

Heather Sorensen | 7/16/2012

" This was a much more adult book than The Magicians (which was already quite adult in themes!). I liked it, but the ending left me disquieted. It's serious yet fantastical. I think I'll have to read something very frothy after this book as a palate cleanser. "

Corinne | 7/8/2012

" Didn't like this book as much as The Magicians. Heavy on the exposition and some sections felt as if the author was trying too hard, like he didn't completely buy into the world or characters he created. "

Sarah | 6/5/2012

" This one is hard to rate. Compared to most books, I would give it 5 stars. But it still wasn't as good as the first in the series, so 4.5 stars. Excited to see what the third and final book will hold! "

Martin | 1/14/2012

" I will definitely be re-reading this series. Very "out-there" and great because of it. "

" Better, and less sad in many ways, than the very good previous book.
"

Curt Hopkins | 11/4/2011

" This is how fantasy should read. The "real world" of urban fantasy and the loveliness of C.S. Lewis and the tragedy of Tolkien. Didn't think there'd be a second in this series (which started with "The Magicians") but now I hope there's a third.
"

Karen | 11/4/2011

" I read this when it was first released in August, but I'm reading it again already because it's just that incredible.
"

Sean | 11/4/2011

" This book is even better than 'The Magicians'. The narrative structure is fantastic.
"

Anne | 11/3/2011

" Again, you just want to smack these characters because sometimes they're just mean and bitchy. I could've used more backstory on Julia and the ending was unfair...but leaves room for sequels!
"

Errin | 11/3/2011

" I liked it better than the magicians. i kind of hate the Quentin character, but I really like the books.
"

Sarah | 11/3/2011

" I basically hated this book. Maybe I'm stupid, maybe there's some grand analogy I haven't figured out and I'm too lazy to Google, but honestly, I'm sick of all the whining. Why can't they all just shut up and get on with it, especially Quentin, the ungrateful man-child. Blah.
"

James | 11/2/2011

" I'm not sure if a agree with the ending.
"

Martha | 11/2/2011

" The Magicians was better but Lev Grossman is THE man when it comes to cutting edge fantasy. This is an enchanted epic journey, rich in imagery with characters that we love who continue to grow and seek when they have reason and opportunity to rest on their laurels.
"

Other Titles by Lev Grossman:

About the Author

Lev Grossman is a senior writer and book
critic for Time magazine. His books have been New York Times bestsellers, and in 2011, he was awarded the John W. Campbell Award from the World Science
Fiction Society. A graduate of Harvard and Yale, he lives in Brooklyn with his wife and two daughters.

About the Narrator

Mark Bramhall has won thirty-four AudioFile Earphones Awards and has twice been a finalist for the Audiobook Publishers Association’s prestigious Audie Award for best narration. He has been named by Publishers Weekly and AudioFile magazine among their “Best Voices of the Year” in 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013. He is also an award-winning actor whose acting credits include off-Broadway, regional, and many Los Angeles venues as well as television, animation, and feature films. He has taught and directed at the American Academy of Dramatic Art.

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